The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-05-11
The Christian Way to Kill an Enemy.

The Christian Way to Kill all Enemy.
THAT man will be the death Of me
yet,' said Paul Levcring. He looked
worried out, not angry.
'Thee means Dick Hardy? Yes
What has he been doing to thee
now - asked the questioner, q Friend,
named Isaac Martin, a lleighbor.
He's always doing something, friend
Martin. Scarcely day passes that l
don't have complaint of him. Yes
terday one of the boys came and told
me he aw him throw stone at my
new Durham COW, and strike her on
the head
That's very bad, friend Levering.
Does thee know why he did this?
Was thy Durham trespassing on his
grounds"
NO, she was only looking over the
fence. He has Il spite against me and
mine, and does all he can toinJure me.
You know the fine Bartlett pear tree,
that stands in the corner Of my lot, ad-
joining his property"
Yes
Two large limbs, full of fruit, hung
over on his side. You would hardly
believe it, but it's true; | was out
there Just now, and discovered that he
had sawed off those two fine limbs that
hung over on his side. They lay down
upon the ground, and his pigs were
eating the fruit
why is Dick so spiteful to thee,
friend Lcvering? He doesn't annoy
me. What has thee done to him"
Nothing of any consequence
'Thce must have done something.
Try and remember
II know what first put him out-I
kicked an ugly dog of his once. The
beast. half starved at home, | suppose,
was all the while prowling about here,
and snatched up everything that came
in his way. One day ! came upon
him suddenly, and gave him n tremen-
dous kick that sent him bowling
through the gate. Unfortunately, as
it. has turned out, the dogs master hap
pened to be passing along the road.
The way he swore at me was dreadful.
T never saw Il more vindictive face.
On the next morning. splendid New
roundland, that I had raised from a
pup met me shivcring at the door,
with his tail cut OF. | don't know
when have felt so badly. Poor fel-
low! his piteous look haunts me now.
[ had no proof against Dick, but have
never doubted as to his agency in the
matter. In my grief and Indignation
| shot the dog, and so put him out OF
sight,
'Thec was hasty in that, friend Lev
ering,' said the Quaker.
Perhaps | was, though hove never
regretted the act. ] met Dick few
days afterwards. The grin OF salts
faction on his face accepted as an ac-
acknowledgements of his mean and cruel
revenge. Within 4 week from that
time one Of my COWS had horn
knocked OFF,
What did thee do?'
Il went to Dick Hardy, and gave
him piece of my mind
THAT is, thee scoldcd and called him
hard names, and threatened
'Hcs-iust so, friend Martini
did any good come Of it?'
about as much good as though l
had whistled to the wind
l1OW HIS IL DCCtl SlIlNN.
NO change for the better, it grows,
if anything, worse and worse. Dick
never gets weary Of annoying me-
Has thee ever tried the law with
him, friend Lcvcring? The law should
protect thee
Owes, Ivc tried the law. Once he
ran his heavy wagon against my car
riage purposcly, and upset me in the
road. | made narrow escape with
my life. The carriage was SO badly
broken that it cost me fifty dollars for
repairs. y nei%hbor saw the whole
thing and said it was plainly intended
by Dick. So | sent him the carriage
makers bill, ut which he got into Il
towering passion. Then | Threatened
him with Il prosecution, and lie laugh
cd in my face Indignantly. | felt that
the time had come to act decisively,
and sued him, relying Oh the evidence
of my neiyhbor. He was afraid OF
Dick, and SO worked his testimony
that the jury saw only an accident III
stead OF Il purpose TO lnlure. Alter
that Dick Hardy WAS worse than ever.
Ec took an evil delight in annoying
and injuring me. ! am satisfied that
| in more than one instance he left gaps
! in his fences, in order to cntice my
cattle into his fields, that he might set
his dogs Oh. them and hurt them with
stones. Il is more than a Child OF
mine darcs to cross his premises. Only
last week he tlied to put his dog on
my little Florence, who had straycd
| into one of his fields after butlcrcups.
The dog WAS less cruel than his mas
ter or she would have been torn 10y his
teeth, instead Of being only frightcn-
cd by his bark
It's Il hard case, truly, friend Lev
ering. Our ncighbor Hardy seems
possessed OF all evil spirit
'rhe spirit of the DEVIL WAS an
swcrcd with feeling.
Hes thy enemy assurcdly; and if
thee doesn't get rid Of him will do
thee great harm. Thee must, if thee
would dwell iii safety, friend Lever
| ing
(Thc Quaker's face was growing
very serious. He spoke i'll Il lowered
voice, and bent toward his ncighbor Iii
Il confidential mannrr.)
'Thcc must put him cut ot the way
Friend Martinn the surprise Of
Paul Was unteigncd.
Thee must kill him.
The countcnance Of Lcvcring grew
black with astomishmcnt.
kill linn! hc calculated.
IF thee dorsm't Kill him he'll Ger
tainly kill thee, one Of these days,
GricLd Lcvcring. And thee knows
what is said about self preservation
being the first law OF nature
and get hung:'
i DON'T think thCY'll hanG thcr,